Silo.



T. GUNTER.

SILO. APPLICATION FILED 001.24. 19M.

LMfifiM m Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES: INVE/I/ TOR.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH COOWASHINGTON. D. c.

T! GUNTER.

SILO.

APPLICATION FILED ocr.24. 1914.

3 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- %TATE% PATENT THGMTPSON GUNTER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SILO.

Application filed October 24, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMPSON GUNTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Silos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in silos, and pertains moreparticularly to the peculiar formation of the blocks of which the silo is constructed, said blocks being formed and erected upon each other in such manner as to constitute a permanent and substantial silo which is both waterproof and frostproof and will preserve silage in good condition until used.

The formation of the blocks is such that they can be economically produced at a mill and shipped ready for use to any point, so that no cutting or fitting, and consequent waste of material, is necessary during the erection of the silo.

During the erection of the silo the blocks, which are formed of wood, are laid in courses with interlocking ends. This makes the construction so substantial as to render unnecessary the use of stay wires or braces either during erection or after completion of the silo.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective View of the complete silo. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective of one of the blocks constituting the important feature of the present invention. Fig. 3 is an inverted perspective view of the block. Fig. 4.- is a plan view of the silo in course of construction. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the silo in the course of construction. Fig. 6 is a cross section of two blocks on line VI of Fig. 5.

l designates the silo, which is, preferably, erected upon a concrete foundation 2 and provided with a roof 3, which latter may be dispensed with if desired.

4 designates one of the blocks of which the silo is'constructed. Said block has a central, longitudinal ridge lock 5 extending from one end thereof to a point adjacent a supplemental lock 6 of pyramidal formation, at the opposite end of the block. The longitudinal sides of the ridge lock 5 slope downward to fiat longitudinal margins 7 extending the full length of the block and surrounding the pyramidal lock 6, (as disclosed by Fig. 2..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13,1915.

Serial No. 868,394.

The underside of the block 4 has a blunt, inverted ll-shaped groove 8, corresponding to the shape of the ridge lock 5, except that said groove extends the full length of the block. The longitudinal sides of the groove 8 slope downward to fiat longitudinal margins 9, adapted to rest squarely upon the longitudinal margins 7 of the block below when said blocks are laid in horizontal courses, as disclosed by Fig. 5. The ends of the blocks are beveled as indicated at 10 and 10, so that when said blocks are placed in proper relation. to each other a substantial silo of octagonal or other conformation is produced.

In erecting the silo, a suitable foundation, preferably, of concrete is provided and upon this the first course of blocks 1 is laid with the beveled end 10 of one block abutting the inner vertical surface of the adjoining block adjacent its pyramidal lock 6, as disclosed by Fig. 4. This first course may be anchored or otherwise suitably secured to the top of the foundation 2. The second course of blocks is then laid upon the first course with their fiat margins 9 resting squarely upon the flat margins 7 of the under course, and with their plain ends 10 overlapping the pyramidal locks 6 of said under course. This procedure of laying the courses with the plain ends 10 of the blocks overlapping the pyramidal locks 6 is continued until the height to which the silo is to be carried is attained. The roof 8 is then applied, if a roof is desired. As one course of blocks is laid upon the other the courses are firmly connected with nails 11, or other suitable means, and a vertical series of doors 12 is formed by sawing away certain of the blocks to form openings with beveled sides 13, as disclosed by Figs. 1, L and 5. The doors 12 have beveled sides to snugly fit the bevel sides 13, so that said doors will be held in their respective openings by the outward pressure of the silage in the silo.

Only a light scaffold inside of the silo is necessary for the support of the workmen during the course of erection, as the ridge locks 5 and pyramidal locks f one course of blocks, fit into the grooves 8 of the adjoining upper course and firmly hold the walls together without the use of braces or other extraneous supports. If desired the beveled ends 10 and 10 of the blocks may be covered with vertical strips 14: to ive a more finished appearance to the silo. he capac ity of the silo may be readily enlarged when desired by adding the necessary courses of blocks. With the grooved portions 8 of one course of blocks resting upon the ridge locks 5 of the course below, it is obvious that neither rain nor frost can pass between the courses to rot out the blocks or spoil the silage.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that I have produced a silo which can be erectedatsmall cost with unskilled labor, and while I have shown and described the preferred form of the invention, I reserve the right to make such changes in the construction, combination and proportion of parts as properly fall within the spirit and scope of the claim.

Having thus described my invention, what Copiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a silo, a block having a longitudinal ridge lock on its upper surface sloping downward to flat margins, a pyramidal lock spaced from said ridge lock which latter terminates sufficiently short of one end of the block to allow for such pyramidal lock and spacing, a V-shaped under surface sloping downward to fiat longitudinal margins, and beveled ends, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMPSON GUN TER.

Witnesses:

OSCAR D. MoOoLLUM, JOHN b. KIRKPAILICK.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

